Bringing the library to you
Oct. 11—WILLIMANTIC — In a community like Willimantic, where many people don't have cars, it can be challenging for some to get to the library.
A new initiative at the Willimantic Public Library aims to bring the library to them.
"One of our main goals is really outreach and bringing our services to people where they are," Willimantic Public Library Youth Services Librarian Frances McGrath said.
The bike costs about $5,000 and was paid for by Sustainable CT, Windham School Readiness Council, the Charter Oak Federal Credit Union and Friends of the Willimantic Public Library.
It was purchased from Icicle Tricycles in Oregon, which specializes in customized cargo bicycles. The company has customized bicycles for many wellknown companies, including Heiniken, Whole Foods, Odwalla, Coca-Cola, Evian, Urban Outfitters, Columbia Sportswear and many others. The Willimantic Public Library Book Bike has a cart and features the library's new logo, which has a frog on it and says "read, learn, thrive."
The logo was designed by Eastern Connecticut State University Associate Design and Publications Officer Leigh Balducci.
McGrath said the bicycle was custom-made and it has an electric assist, meaning it has a motor that keeps the pedals turning when someone is riding.
She said the bicycle is more challenging to ride than other bicycles that she is used to.
" It turns differently," McGrath said.
Staff plan to bring the bicycle to community events and places around town, as requested. It will only travel to places in Windham "This gives us flexibility," Willimantic Public Library Director Daniel Paquette said, referring to services that can be provided with the bicycle.
For example, he said, a library staff member recently took the bicycle to the new Windham senior/community center and with the help of a hot spot, signed people up for library cards there.
All library staff are equipped to use the bicycle.
The bicycle has already been to the Third Thursday Street Fest in September and the Eastern CT Children's Book Fair on Oct. 2.
"I think it went really well there," McGrath said, referring to the Third Thursday Street Fest.
The bike also visited Natchaug Elementary School recently.
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